Border Force officers bust alleged lizard smuggler at Perth Airport

Six bobtail lizards allegedly found in Perth Airport smuggling sting

The West Australian

VideoA Japaneses man will face court after Australia Border Force carried out a full baggage check as he attempted to catch a flight from Perth to Hong Kong.

Six West Australian bobtail lizards, which could be worth up to $10,000 each on the international wildlife black market, were found in the luggage of a Japanese man who was attempting to smuggle them onto a flight from Perth to Hong Kong, authorities say.

Kozo Akasaka, 45, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody, after a tip off from WA’s Parks and Wildlife Service led Australian Border Force officials to stop the man at Perth International Airport on Thursday.

An x-ray of his check-in suitcase is alleged to have revealed the six bobtail lizards, wrapped in paper towel and tightly packed inside a cloth bag.

Camera IconThree of the lizards seized by officers during a bag check.Picture: Australian Border Force

Authorities will allege three of the lizards were taken from Pinky’s beach on Rottnest Island, two from the coastline between Jurien Bay and Yanchep and one from the coast between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. At least some of them had been kept in hessian bags for up to eight days with no food and little water.

He was arrested by and charged with attempting to export a regulated native specimen, with other charges to follow.

The maximum penalty for wildlife trade offences under Australian law is 10 years’ in prison and a fine of up to $210,000 for individuals or up to $1,050,000 for corporations.

Parks and Wildlife Service wildlife officer Matt Swan said the rescued bobtails had been checked by vets at Perth Zoo, with an aim to release them back into the wild.

Camera IconAn xray of the suitcase containing the lizards.Picture: Australian Border Force

“The smuggling of native wildlife is not only illegal but cruel and inhumane, with reptiles often smuggled for extended periods of time without food or water, in extremes of temperature and generally in confined spaces,” Mr Swan said.

It is understood Commonwealth prosecutors will seek a jail term for Mr Akasaka, who was in Australia on a tourist visa. He will appear in court again later this month.

Anyone with information about the illegal removal of reptiles or who notice any suspicious activity should contact Australian Border Force’s Border Watch or call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.